Good evening. Just moments ago, I spoke with George W. Bush and
congratulated him on becoming the 43rd president of the United States, and I
promised him that I wouldn't call him back this time. I offered to meet with him
as soon as possible so that we can start to heal the divisions of the campaign
and the contest through which we just passed.

Almost a century and a half ago, Senator Stephen Douglas told Abraham Lincoln,
who had just defeated him for the presidency, "Partisan feeling must yield
to patriotism. I'm with you, Mr. President, and God bless you." Well, in
that same spirit, I say to President-elect Bush that what remains of partisan
rancor must now be put aside, and may God bless his stewardship of this country.
Neither he nor I anticipated this long and difficult road. Certainly neither of
us wanted it to happen. Yet it came, and now it has ended, resolved, as it must
be resolved, through the honored institutions of our democracy.

Over the library of one of our great law schools is inscribed the motto,
"Not under man but under God and law." That's the ruling principle of
American freedom, the source of our democratic liberties. I've tried to make it
my guide throughout this contest as it has guided America's deliberations of all
the complex issues of the past five weeks. Now the U.S. Supreme Court has
spoken. Let there be no doubt, while I strongly disagree with the court's
decision, I accept it. I accept the finality of this outcome which will be
ratified next Monday in the Electoral College. And tonight, for the sake of our
unity of the people and the strength of our democracy, I offer my concession. I
also accept my responsibility, which I will discharge unconditionally, to honor
the new president elect and do everything possible to help him bring Americans
together in fulfillment of the great vision that our Declaration of Independence
defines and that our Constitution affirms and defends.

Let me say how grateful I am to all those who supported me and supported the
cause for which we have fought. Tipper and I feel a deep gratitude to Joe and
Hadassah Lieberman who brought passion and high purpose to our partnership and
opened new doors, not just for our campaign but for our country. This has been
an extraordinary election. But in one of God's unforeseen paths, this belatedly
broken impasse can point us all to a new common ground, for its very closeness
can serve to remind us that we are one people with a shared history and a shared
destiny. Indeed, that history gives us many examples of contests as hotly
debated, as fiercely fought, with their own challenges to the popular will.
Other disputes have dragged on for weeks before reaching resolution. And each
time, both the victor and the vanquished have accepted the result peacefully and
in the spirit of reconciliation. So let it be with us.

I know that many of my supporters are disappointed. I am too. But our
disappointment must be overcome by our love of country. And I say to our fellow
members of the world community, let no one see this contest as a sign of
American weakness. The strength of American democracy is shown most clearly
through the difficulties it can overcome. Some have expressed concern that the
unusual nature of this election might hamper the next president in the conduct
of his office. I do not believe it need be so. President-elect Bush inherits a
nation whose citizens will be ready to assist him in the conduct of his large
responsibilities. I personally will be at his disposal, and I call on all
Americans -- I particularly urge all who stood with us to unite behind our next
president. This is America. Just as we fight hard when the stakes are high, we
close ranks and come together when the contest is done. And while there will be
time enough to debate our continuing differences, now is the time to recognize
that that which unites us is greater than that which divides us. While we yet
hold and do not yield our opposing beliefs, there is a higher duty than the one
we owe to political party. This is America and we put country before party. We
will stand together behind our new president.

As for what I'll do next, I don't know the answer to that one yet. Like many of
you, I'm looking forward to spending the holidays with family and old friends. I
know I'll spend time in Tennessee and mend some fences, literally and
figuratively. Some have asked whether I have any regrets and I do have one
regret: that I didn't get the chance to stay and fight for the American people
over the next four years, especially for those who need burdens lifted and
barriers removed, especially for those who feel their voices have not been
heard. I heard you and I will not forget. I've seen America in this campaign and
I like what I see. It's worth fighting for and that's a fight I'll never stop.
As for the battle that ends tonight, I do believe as my father once said, that
no matter how hard the loss, defeat might serve as well as victory to shape the
soul and let the glory out.

So for me this campaign ends as it began: with the love of Tipper and our
family; with faith in God and in the country I have been so proud to serve, from
Vietnam to the vice presidency; and with gratitude to our truly tireless
campaign staff and volunteers, including all those who worked so hard in Florida
for the last 36 days. Now the political struggle is over and we turn again to
the unending struggle for the common good of all Americans and for those
multitudes around the world who look to us for leadership in the cause of
freedom. In the words of our great hymn, "America, America": "Let
us crown thy good with brotherhood, from sea to shining sea." And now, my
friends, in a phrase I once addressed to others, it's time for me to go. Thank
you and good night, and God bless America.

George Bush's statement in the Texas House of
Representatives, December
13, 2000

Thank you very much. Good evening, my fellow
Americans. I appreciate so very much the opportunity to speak with you tonight.
Mr. Speaker, Lieutenant Governor, friends, distinguished guests, our country has
been through a long and trying period, with the outcome of the presidential
election not finalized for longer than any of us could ever imagine. Vice
President Gore and I put our hearts and hopes into our campaigns. We both gave
it our all. We shared similar emotions, so I understand how difficult this
moment must be for Vice President Gore and his family. He has a distinguished
record of service to our country as a congressman, a senator and a vice
president. This evening I received a gracious call from the vice president. We
agreed to meet early next week in Washington and we agreed to do our best to
heal our country after this hard-fought contest.

Tonight I want to thank all the thousands of volunteers and campaign workers who
worked so hard on my behalf. I also salute the vice president and his supports
for waging a spirited campaign. And I thank him for a call that I know was
difficult to make. Laura and I wish the vice president and Senator Lieberman and
their families the very best. I have a lot to be thankful for tonight. I'm
thankful for America and thankful that we were able to resolve our electoral
differences in a peaceful way. I'm thankful to the American people for the great
privilege of being able to serve as your next president. I want to thank my wife
and our daughters for their love. Laura's active involvement as first lady has
made Texas a better place, and she will be a wonderful first lady of America. I
am proud to have Dick Cheney by my side, and America will be proud to have him
as our next vice president.

Tonight I chose to speak from the chamber of the Texas House of Representatives
because it has been a home to bipartisan cooperation. Here in a place where
Democrats have the majority, Republicans and Democrats have worked together to
do what is right for the people we represent. We've had spirited disagreements.
And in the end, we found constructive consensus. It is an experience I will
always carry with me, an example I will always follow. I want to thank my
friend, House Speaker Pete Laney, a Democrat, who introduced me today. I want to
thank the legislators from both political parties with whom I've worked. Across
the hall in our Texas capitol is the state Senate. And I cannot help but think
of our mutual friend, the former Democrat lieutenant governor, Bob Bullock. His
love for Texas and his ability to work in a bipartisan way continue to be a
model for all of us.

The spirit of cooperation I have seen in this hall is what is needed in
Washington, D.C. It is the challenge of our moment. After a difficult election,
we must put politics behind us and work together to make the promise of America
available for every one of our citizens. I am optimistic that we can change the
tone in Washington, D.C. I believe things happen for a reason, and I hope the
long wait of the last five weeks will heighten a desire to move beyond the
bitterness and partisanship of the recent past. Our nation must rise above a
house divided. Americans share hopes and goals and values far more important
than any political disagreements.

Republicans want the best for our nation, and so do Democrats. Our votes may
differ, but not our hopes. I know America wants reconciliation and unity. I know
Americans want progress. And we must seize this moment and deliver. Together,
guided by a spirit of common sense, common courtesy and common goals, we can
unite and inspire the American citizens. Together, we will work to make all our
public schools excellent, teaching every student of every background and every
accent, so that no child is left behind. Together we will save Social Security
and renew its promise of a secure retirement for generations to come. Together
we will strengthen Medicare and offer prescription drug coverage to all of our
seniors. Together we will give Americans the broad, fair and fiscally
responsible tax relief they deserve. Together we'll have a bipartisan foreign
policy true to our values and true to our friends, and we will have a military
equal to every challenge and superior to every adversary. Together we will
address some of society's deepest problems one person at a time, by encouraging
and empowering the good hearts and good works of the American people. This is
the essence of compassionate conservatism and it will be a foundation of my
administration. These priorities are not merely Republican concerns or
Democratic concerns; they are American responsibilities.

During the fall campaign, we differed about the details of these proposals, but
there was remarkable consensus about the important issues before us: excellent
schools, retirement and health security, tax relief, a strong military, a more
civil society. We have discussed our differences. Now it is time to find common
ground and build consensus to make America a beacon of opportunity in the 21st
century. I'm optimistic this can happen. Our future demands it and our history
proves it. Two hundred years ago, in the election of 1800, America faced another
close presidential election. A tie in the Electoral College put the outcome into
the hands of Congress. After six days of voting and 36 ballots, the House of
Representatives elected Thomas Jefferson the third president of the United
States. That election brought the first transfer of power from one party to
another in our new democracy. Shortly after the election, Jefferson, in a letter
titled "Reconciliation and Reform," wrote this. "The steady
character of our countrymen is a rock to which we may safely moor; unequivocal
in principle, reasonable in manner. We should be able to hope to do a great deal
of good to the cause of freedom and harmony."

Two hundred years have only strengthened the steady character of America. And so
as we begin the work of healing our nation, tonight I call upon that character:
respect for each other, respect for our differences, generosity of spirit, and a
willingness to work hard and work together to solve any problem. I have
something else to ask you, to ask every American. I ask for you to pray for this
great nation. I ask for your prayers for leaders from both parties. I thank you
for your prayers for me and my family, and I ask you to pray for Vice President
Gore and his family.

I have faith that with God's help we as a nation
will move forward together as one nation, indivisible. And together we will
create and America that is open, so every citizen has access to the American
dream; an America that is educated, so every child has the keys to realize that
dream; and an America that is united in our diversity and our shared American
values that are larger than race or party. I was not elected to serve one party,
but to serve one nation. The president of the United States is the president of
every single American, of every race and every background. Whether you voted for
me or not, I will do my best to serve your interests and I will work to earn
your respect. I will be guided by President Jefferson's sense of purpose, to
stand for principle, to be reasonable in manner, and above all, to do great good
for the cause of freedom and harmony. The presidency is more than an honor. It
is more than an office. It is a charge to keep, and I will give it my all. Thank
you very much and God bless America.